Beverage-display fountain



Nov. 25, 1930. H. GLAZE ET AL BEVERAGE DISPLAY FOUNTAIN Filed Dec. 3, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet z L 22 was Patented Nov. 25, i

UNTEDSTATES PATENT FICE f HERBERT L, GLAZE, or sour :eAsAnENA, AND ronnns'r dsranronn, s

ANGnLEs; canrnonivra; SAID GLAYZE ANGnLnsci-mmomvm V c Assrelvon T0 GEORGE. H. HYLANLP, or tos isnvnnAonmrsrtayrounrh iv' p Application filed December 3, i927! Serial no; 237,415; r

Thisinvention relates to'an apparatus for use in dispensing liquids and particularly pertains to a'means and'method for efiecting pen sed. v

An object of the invention isto provide a liquid dispensing'and display apparatus in which the liquid will be displayed by being intermittently delivered to and discharged" from acontainer, and inwhich the movement ofthe liquid will be automatically effected without directly subjecting it to the action ofa pump.

Another object is to provide a means -whereby the flow of liquid into the display container and-its discharge therefrom will be effected by making and breaking a partial vacuum in the container.

Anotherobject is to providea means for making and breaking the partial Vacuum which is simplein construction, durable and not liableto get outof order.

i WVith the foregoing objects in view together with such other objects andadvantages as may subsequently appear -the invention resides generally in the provlsion ot a transparent display container associated with a dispensing tank or reservoir for containing the liquid to be displayed and dISPGIISQCl, to-

gether with means whereby the llquid from the reservoir will be delivered to the container by suction inducedin the latter andbe discharged into thecontainer until thelatter" is filled to apre'determined level and then by 1 breaking the suction induced in the container to cause the liquid thereinto gravitate back to the reservoiizf rangement of parts, hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by wayof ex Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the appa-j ratus showing it partly in section and partly in elevation with portions broken away the displav container control valve being shown V I i WlllCll renders the valve and its stem partly in its open position;

seen on the line 22 of Fig. l;

r position; displayand agitationof the liquid tobe dis- Fig. is a detail in sectionillustrating the display container control valve in its closed Fig. 4 is aplan mechanism with the dis1: laycontainer removed-y i Fig. 5 is an endview of the operating mechview of the operative anismas seen in the direction of the arrow 5 tion'of'themain control-valve.

taining aliquid tobe dispensed, whichliquid may be drawn from the reservoir by the usual dispensing means not necessary to be here shown, and B indicates a display con- 05g Referring to the drawings more specifical- 'ly, A-indicates aytankor reservoir for contai'ner which issuperimposed in relation to thereservoir A andis hereshown as seated onthe latter.- This containermay be of any suitable construction but preferably comprises-a glass globe. Leading downwardly.

from the container and opening to the reservoir'A is a tube 13ja1fording a communication betweenthe interior of, the, reservoir and the interior of the containen-I Arrangedwithin valve 15 including a plate a loosely supported on a head 6 on the lower end of the stem l-itand also including a gasket a seating e on the plate a and adapted toseaton the lower V The invention further resides in the parts and in the combination; construction and arend of the tube when the valvefl5is in its closed position. The stem 14: is openatits the valvel5 is in its closed posit'ion. The" stem 14 is provided with guide flanges 16, which loosely cooperate with the inner face of the tube513 in guidingthe valve 15 to its seat, and mounted on the stem ll'and preferably arranged within thetube 13 is a fioat 17 ends and aflords a communication between W i the reservoir and the display'container, when tending exteriorly thereof. The connection of the conduit 18 with the container 12 is preferably effected through a check valve 19 here shown as embodying a valve housing (Z interposed between the end of the conduit 18 and the interior of the container in which housing is mounted a dependant valve stem 6 carrying a valve f on its upper end; the stem e being supported in a guide 9 and the valve f being adapted to be moved upwardly against the valve seat It to close the communication between the container and conduit. In event liquid in the container should inadvertently rise beyond a predetermined level, the check valve is closed by the action of a float 2' carried on the lowerend of the stem 0.

The conduit 18 serves as a means through which air may be exhausted from and delivered to the display container; it leading from the container to a suitable operating mechanism, a preferred form of which is here shown as embodying a suction pump 20 the intake side of which communicates with the interior of the display container through the conduit 18, a main control valve 21 interposed in the communication between the pump and container, a timing mechanism 22 for actuating the valve 21, and a source of power here shown as comprising an electric motor 23 for actuating the pump, the timing mechanism and the main control valve.

The valve 21 is here shown as embodying a pair of plates 24: and 25 between which is interposed a turnable disk 26; the plates 2 1 and 25 and disk 26 being assembled on a bolt 27 projectingfrom a standard 28. The bolt serves as a pivot on which the disk 26 may turn. A spring 29 bears between an abutment 30 on the bolt and the outer plate 24: and by its pressure maintains the plates 24 and 25 under yieldable pressure against the opposite faces of the disk. The plates 24 and 25 are formed with two pair of opposed openings; the openings and on the plate 25 communicating with a conduit 31 communicating with the conduit 18 through a trap 32. The openings land on in plate 2 1 are designed to be alternately placed in communication with the openings 7' and 7a through the medium of the valve disk 26, which latter is formed with apair of openings a and 0 for this purpose. The opening Z leads to atmosphere and affords an air intake for the display container when the valve disk 26 is positioned with the opening 0 registering with the openings land j as shown in Fig. 11. The opening m communicates with a. conduit 33 leading to the intake side of the pump 20 and affords an exhaust for the display container when the valve disk 26 is positioned to dispose the opening 0 and register with the openings 70 and m as shown in Fig. 12.

In order to afford a supply of air to the pump, when its communication with the display container is cut off, the valve disk 26 is formed with a channel p as shown in Fig. 11; this channel being formed on the face of the disk 26 adjacent the plate 2. which channel is so located that when the valve dis 1 26 is disposed with the port n registering with the intake port Z and communication between the ports 7; and m is closed, the channel 79 will register with the port at and by reason of the channel opening to the periphery of the disk 26 then affords a communication between the conduit 33 and atmosphere.

A suitable mechanism may be provided for effecting actuation of the main control valve to alternately effect exhaust of air from the container and to deliver air thereto. The means here shown embodies a revoluble wheel 34 carrying a pair of opposed cams 35 and 36 adapted on rotation of the wheel to successfully engage a pin 37 carried by the valve disk 36 in such fashion as to rock the valve disk from side to side; the wheel 34 being mounted on a shaft 33 extending at right angles to the disk 36. The wheel 3 t with the cams 35 and 36 constitute a portion of the timing mechanism and as a means of varying the intervals of the actuation of the disk valve to vary the moments of exhaust and intake of the display container, the cams 35 and 36 are adjustably mounted on the wheel 34 and and for which purpose are here shown as embodying plates. which are detachably secured to the wheel 34 by means of screws 39; the wheel 34 being formed with a series of threaded openings 40 for reception of the screws 39 so arranged as to permit the cams being spaced various dis tances apart and at various points peripherially of the wheel.

As a means for driving the wheel the shaft 38 is here shown as fitted with a gear wheel 41 meshing with a driving worm 4-5! carried on a shaft 43 adapted to be driv'ai through a train of gears, indicated generally at e4, from the motor 23.

In the operation of the invention, starting of the motor 23 will set the pump 20 in operation and will effect rotation of the wheel 34 which latter will oscillate the valve disk 26 as before described. When the valve disk 26 is disposed to place the ports of the main control valves j, Z and a in communication. the interior of the display container will then be open to atmosphere so that a liquid within the container, by reason of being higher than the level of the liquid in the reservoir will gravitate through the tube 13 into the reservoir as indicated in Fig. 1; the valve 15 being opened under weight of the column of the liquid imposed thereon to permit discharge of the liquid from the container. lVhile this discharge of liquid from the container is taking place, the valve disk 26 is maintained stationary. On the cam 36 a t-'85 engagingthepin 37 and" rocking the valy'e to close th'e air intake andeffect communication between] the interior of the display container andthe suction pump through the communicating ports 70, and 177. through the main control wvalve as shown in Fig. 12, asuction Wlll be induced in the container creatling a partial vacuum therein, which in re ducing the atmospheric pressure in the contamer will cause the alve 'to close-um der the combined action differencein atmospheric} pressure. in thej-reservoir" and the huoyantetfect of the float 17. On closing of the valve 15, the suction induced in the; container will cause liquid-from thereservoir tof'fiow upwardly through the stem 14; and

be deliveredin the container preferablyin the form of a tountainas illustrated-in Fig.

7. The liquid Willthus continue to "flow into the containerfor an interval'of'time; gradually filling the containerto a predetermined level. During this filling operation, the in-" coming fountain ofliquid willmai'ntain the volume of liquid in the container in a state of agitation. This intake of the liquid endures until the main. controlvalveis again actuated by the cam to cut off the "co nmunication betweenthe .p-umpand the con---- tainerand to break the vacuum in thelatter by admitting air to the container through the ports j, Z and n as before described. As soon as the suction in" thecontainerterminates, the intake of liquid will stop whereupon the liquidinthe container will cease to be tur-' bulent and because of thewalve 15 when being opened under the weight of the liquid causing: it to flow back into thereservoir, thelevel of the liquid in the containerwill gradually fall. g y

In thismanner, the liquidis' alternately deliveredjto and discharged from'the container; the container beingempty or substantially empty for an intervalof time thenbeing filled to apredetermined level through anlinterval of time by a fountain which is gradually submerged and the liquid then maintained in a state of agitation for another interval, and finally rendered quiescent and its level slowly lowered until the container is again substantially emptied. Thisdisplay action" is illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive; Fig. 6 showing the container as practically empty; Fig. 7 showing the initial inflow of the liquid into' the container-in the form of a fountain; Fig. 8

showing the mannerin which the fountain is gradually submerged; Fig. 9showing the fountain as submerged and the liquid in a state of turbulence; and Fig. lO showing the liquid in a placid state, while flowing from the container." i r i It will be observed that during operation the levelof the liquid in the containerfconstantly varies and is not maintained for any appreciable length of time'at a predetermined level; and that while entering the container the liquid is agitated ahdfturbulent i and while being discharged from the *con taineritis relativelyiplacid. I 1 I The trap'32 isprovidedas means. an

collecting condensates due to moisturecan ried off with the air content of the container. so as to, prevent such moisture from fouling the main control valveand pump. #The check: vajlve 1.9 while not essential t0 the operation:

of the device may be employed; as a precaua tion againstexc'essijve filling of the displa'yi container. 7

The invention '15 particularly apiilaabl for usein "the 1 displayofj beverages in beverg age dispensers such'asare used in dispensing 1 fruit juices and the like, but itmay obvious-y ly be employed forthe displ'ayfof various;

liquids.

wane W. haye itbwnana a'saiad a "Spej:

ciiic embodiment ofour invention, we do not limit ourselves to the-exact details asshown; but may employsuch changes, modifications and equivalents, as come within the meaning a s ope of: the appendedfclaims. I. WVc'llolaim: I 1

1."Inf' a'.liquid display apparatus; a reser voir, a1 display container incommunication with said reservoir, means for dellvering liquid from] said rservoirto said container by suction induced'in thelatter,and automatic means for controlling the intake of liquid tothe container operable to efiect dis charge of liquid therefrom.

voir, a display container in communication with said reservoir, means "for creating a partial vaciium for said container whereby liquid wlll be inducted fr'rom the IGSGIIVOH into'the' container, and automatlc means for 2. In a liquid display apparatus, areser fl intermittently breaking the partial vacuum a in the container, whereby eduction of liquid therefrom will be effected in alternation with the induction thereof. i i

- 3. In a liquiddisplay apparatus, a reser voir, a display conta ner in communlcation with the reservoinasuction pump for creating a partial vacuum. in said display container, whereby liquid from. the reservoir will "be-inducted into the container, and a main controlvalve automaticallyoperable.to alternately make and break communication" valve operable toalternately make and break communication between the suction pump and the container and adapted to admitair to the Container whereby the liquid in the container will be caused to flow therefrom, and means for automatically timing the operation of said valve whereby induction and eduction of the liquid to and from the container will be alternated at predetermined intervals. 7

5. In a liquid display apparatus, a reservoir, a container communicating with the reservoir, means for inducting a partial vacuum in said container, whereby liquid will be drawn into the container from the reservoir, and means operable at predetermined intervals for intermittently breaking the partial vacuum in the container and cooperating with said last named means in effecting alternate delivery of liquid to and its discharge from the container.

6. In a display apparatus, a reservoir, a display container, a tube affording communication between the container and reservoir the lower end of which extends into liquid in the reservoir, a tubular stem in said tube, a valve on said stem for closing said tube through which said stem opens, said valve being adapted to be opened under weight .of liquid in the container, means for inducing a partial vacuum in said container operable to effect closing of said valve and whereby liquid from the reservoir will be delivered to the container through the tubular stem, and means for intermittently breaking the vacuum in the container.

7. In a display apparatus, a reservoir, a display container, a tube affording communication between the container and reservoir the lower end of which extends into liquid in the reservoir, a tubular stem in said tube, a valve on said stem for closing said tube through which said stem opens, said valve being adapted to be opened under weight of liquid in the container, means for inducing a partial vacuum in said container operable to eifect closing of said valve and whereby liquid from the reservoir will be delivered to the container through the tubular stem, means for imparting buoyancy to said stem and valve, and means for intermittently breaking the vacuum in the container.

8. In a liquid display apparatus. a reservoir, a container arranged above the reservoir and communicating therewith, a suction pump, a communication between the intake side of said suction pump and said container, an oscillatory valve interposed in said communication operable alternately to open and close the communication between the pump and container and to alternately open and close the container to atmosphere, and means for periodically actuating said valve.

9. In a liquid display apparatus, a reservoir, a container arranged above the reservoir and communicating therewith, a suctionpump, a communication between the intake side of said suction pump and said container, an oscillatory valve interposed in said communication operable alternately to open and close the communication between the pump and container and to alternately open and close the container to atmosphere, a revoluble wheel, a pair of cams on said wheel and means whereby rotation of said wheel will cause said cams'toeffect actuation of said valve.

10. In a liquid display apparatus, a reservoir, a container arranged above the reservoir and communicating therewith, a suction pump, a communication between the intake side of said suction pump and said container, an oscillatory valve interposed in said communication operable alternately to open and close the commu nication between the pump and container and to alternately open and close the container to atmosphere, a revoluble wheel, a pair of cams on said wheel, means whereby rotation of said wheel will cause said cams to effect actuation of said valve, said cams being relatively adjustable on said wheel, whereby timing of the operation of said valve may be varied.

11. In a liquid display apparatus, a reservoir, a display container communicating with said reservoir, a pipe leading from the upper portion of said container, means for inducing a suction in said container through said pipe whereby liquid from the reservoir will be drawn into the container, a normally open check valve operable by liquid in the container for closing communication between'the container and said pipe, and means associated with said suction means for intermittently breaking the suction induced in said pipe, at predetermined intervals.

12. In a liquid display apparatus, a reservoir, a display container communicating with the reservoir, a pipe leading from the upper portion of the container, means for exhausting air from said container through said pipe, a trap in said pipe for condensing moisture, and means associated with said suction means for intermittently opening said pipe to atmosphere, at predetermined intervals.

13. The method of displaying a liquid consisting in delivering the liquid to a display container by suction induced in the latter and automatically breaking the suction at predetermined intervals to cause the liquid to gravitate from the container, thus forming a closed cycle of operations.

14. The method of displaying a liquid consisting in gradually delivering the liquid to a display container in the form of a fountain created by suction induced in the container, whereby infiowing accumulating liquid in'the container will be rendered turbulent, and automatically breaking the suction at predetermined intervals by admitsignatures.

ting air to the container, whereby the liquid in the container is rendered relatively placid and is Caused to be discharged from the container by gravity, thus forming a closed cycle of automatic operations.

In testimony whereof, we have aflixed our HERBERT LLGLIAZE. FORREST STANFORD. 

